Multiple position reclining chair



y 1965 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,184,266

MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed Dec. 28, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

IN V EN TOR.

FIQ/D TJOF F. 6 CH1. AEPHA CKE May 18, 1965 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,134,266

MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed Dec. 28, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FR/DTJOF E JCA L/EPHACKE 01-70mm: Y: Z i

May 18, 1965 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,134,266

MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed Dec. 28. 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. FQ/DTJOF FJCl/L/EPHACKE' arr-041v": z

United States Patent 3,184,266 MULTIPLE POSITION RECLHNING CHAIR Fridtjof F. Schliephacke, Berlin-Schmargendorf, Germany, assignor to Anton Lorenz, Boynton Beach, Fla.

Filed Dec. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 248,105 (Ilaims. (Cl. 291-89) The present invention relates to improvements in reclining chairs and in particular to a novel and improved leg-rest control arrangement for reclining chairs of the multiple position type.

The invention is applicable to multiple position reclining chairs, in which a body-supporting structure, including a seat and back-rest, is movable from an upright sitting position through a first motion phase to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and then through a second motion phase to a reclining or fully-tilted position. A leg-rest is also provided with control means to move the leg-rest from a retracted position beneath the seat to an extended position forwardly of the seat in response to movement of the body-supporting structure through the first motion phase from the upright sitting position to the intermediate tilted sitting position. Thus, in the latter position, while the occupants body is still substantially upright and properly disposed for reading, viewing television or the like, the occupants legs are comfortably supported in outstretched condition by the extended legrest. The leg-rest control means are also adapted to maintain the leg-rest in extended position relative to the seat when the body-supporting structure is moved through the second motion phase to the reclining position.

In many multiple position chairs previously devised, the leg-rest mounting linkage is mounted on the seat and the actuating linkage therefor is dormant during the second motion phase, the leg-rest and its linkage merely follow along with the forward end of the seat as the body-supporting structure turns to the fully-tilted or re clined position. Depending on the nature of the linkage,

the leg-rest either remains in the same extended position a relative to the seat during the second motion phase or is slightly lowered relative to the front end of the seat as it is brought to the fully-reclined position. It is desirable, however, that the leg-rest control linkage be capable of selectively adjusting the position of the legrest during the second motion phase so that the position of the leg-rest in the fully-tilted or reclined position can be suitably located for optimum comfort. Thus, the same basic linkage can be used in a variety of different chairs, but the extended position of the leg-rest can be adjusted to provide the most suitable disposition of the leg-rest to conform to the requirements of the paricular chair.

An object of the present invention is to provide in a multiple position reclining chair novel control means for both the leg-rest and the body-supporting structure, the control means being in the nature of a four-bar linkage mounting the forward portion of the seat on the support frame and being immovable during the first motion phase to act as a fixed portion of the support frame and movable during the second motion phase to permit the bodysupporting structure to turn about a different center of rotation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple position reclining chair having a four-bar linkage of the character described and also having a leg-rest mounting linkage of which one end or both ends are mounted on the four-bar linkage and carried thereby.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a multiple position reclining chair of the character described in which the four-bar linkage includes a forwardly-facing intermediate link which is turned during the second motion phase and which is connected to the leg-rest mounting linkage, such that the leg-rest is given an additional extension actuation during the second motion phase to properly position it relative to the forward end of the seat.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a multiple position reclining chair of the character described in which the control linkage is provided with two degrees of freedom whereby the leg-rest can be moved downwardly from its extended position to the retracted position, if desired, while the body-supporting structure remains in a reclined position.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a multiple position reclining chair in which a body-supporting structure is mounted on a support frame by front and rear guide links. The rear guide link is mounted directly on the support frame while the front guide link is mounted on a four-bar linkage which includes as movable links first and second carrier links pivotally mounted at spaced points on the support frame and an intermediate link pivotally connected between the free ends of the carrier links. The four-bar linkage is arranged to rest immovably on the support frame during the first motion phase While the front guide link turns thereon, and the body-supporting structure is moved rearwardly by both guide links to the intermediate position. In the second motion phase, the rear guide link is blocked from further rearward movement, the four-bar linkage moves upwardly from its supported position, and the body-supporting structure turns about its pivotal connection with the stationary rear guide link. The chair also includes a legrest and a linkage mounting the leg-rest for movement between a retracted position beneath the seat and an extended position forwardly of the seat. At least one end of the leg-rest mounting linkage is mounted on an extension of the intermediate link, and the leg-rest mounting linkage is actuated during the first motion phase by the turning movement of the front guide link on the stationary four-bar linkage. During the second motion phase, the intermediate link is turned forwardly as it is raised by the carrier links to selectively actuate the legrest mounting linkage and thereby adjust the extended position of the leg-rest relative to the front of the seat in the fully-reclined position.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair incorporating the seat control and leg-rest control arrangements of the present invention, the chair being shown in an upright sitting position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the chair in an intermediate, tilted sitting position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, but showing the chair in a fully-tilted or reclined position with the leg-rest extended;

PEG. 4 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the chair thereof in a reclined position with the leg-rest retracted;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, with portions broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair incorporating a modified type of control arrangement made in accordance with the invention, the chair being shown in its upright sitting position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the chair thereof in its intermediate, tilted sitting position;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view similar to FIGS. 4 and 3 V 5, but showing the chairthereof in its fullytilted'po sition with the leg-rest extended;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. '7 but showing the chair thereof in a reclined position with the leg-rest retracted; and

FIG. 9 isan enlarged elevational' view of the friction .10 includes a support frame generally designated by reference numeral 12 and having opposed sidewalls 14 and 16 interconnected by suitable cross-braces 18, 20 and 22. The chair also includes a body-supporting strucare gees leg rest mounting linkage 62 includes a first pair of mounting links 64 and 66 having a pivotal connection 68 at their 7 7 adjacent ends and a second pair of mounting links 78 and 1 'tension'58 of the intermediate link 46. Intermediate its 1 72 having a pivotal connection 74 at their adjacent ends. The mounting link 64 has apivotal mount 76 at its upper end of the seat 26, while the mounting link 7 0 has a pivotal mount 78 on the forward end of the perpendicular exends, the mounting link 64 crosses over the mounting link '72 and has a pivotal connection 80 thereto at the crossingover point. The mounting link66 has a'pivotal connection'82 .at its forward end to the leg-rest 60, while the mounting link 72 has a pivotal connection 84 at its forward end to the leg-rest 60, at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 82.,

Actuating .means are providedfor elevating the legrest 60 during the first motion phase from the retracted position shown in FIG; 1 to the extended leg-supporting ture generally designated by the reference'numeral 24 and including a seat 26 and a back-rest, 28 formed integrally as a rigid unit. The body-supporting structure 24 is mountedfor movement relative to the support frame 12 by a front guide link 30 and a rear guide link 32, the

structure 24 moving from the upright sitting position of" FIG. 1 to the intermediate, tilted sittingposition shown in FIG. 2 and then to the fully-tilted or reclined position shown in FIG. 3. a v a At its lower end, the rear guidelink 32 has a-fixed pivotal mount 34 on the support frame 12, and at its upper end is connected by pivot 36 tof the rear portion of the seat 26; '7 The front guide link 3% is connected by pivot 38 to the seat 26 at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotal,

connection 36. Toward its lower end, the front guide link 30 is mounted on a four-bar linkage which includes a first carrier link 42,'a second'carrier link 44, and an intermediate link 46, The rear end of the first carrier link 42 is mounted by pivot 48 on the support frame 12 andthe forward end thereof is connected-by a pivot 50 to the lower end of the intermediate link 46. The rear end of the second carrier link 44 is mounted by pivot 52 on the support frame at a point spaced above and rearwardly of the pivotal mount 48. The forward end of the second carrier link 44 is connected by pivot 54 to the intermediate link 46 at a point above the pivot 50. In the upright sitting position of FIG. 1, both carrier links 42 and 44 extend forwardly from their respective pivotal mounts 48 and 52, with the second carrier link 44 overlying the first carrier link 42 and being spaced thereabove. The links 42 and 44 are not, however, parallel, the link 42 being downwardly inclined.

As was previously indicated, the first carrier link 42,

second carrier link 44, and intermediate link 46 serve 'as three movable links of a four-bar supporting linkage which includes, as the stationary link thereof, the portion of the support frame 12 between the fixed pivots 48 and 52. The front guide, link 30 is mounted on this four-bar linkage; for example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3,

the front guide link is mounted by pivot 56 on the intermediate link 46 at a point between the pivots 5t) and '54. The intermediate link 46 has at its top end an extension 58 which extends perpendicularly forward thereof. The extension 58 has an inwardly-projecting pin 59 which engages the front guide link 30 in theupright sitting position of FIG. 1 and acts as a stop to prevent the body-supporting unit 24 from moving forwardly from this position under the body weight of the occupant.v

The chair 10 also includes, a leg-rest 60. and a leg-rest mounting linkage generally designated by reference numeral 62 which is adapted to guide the leg-rest between a retracted position beneath the seat to an elevated legsupporting position forwardly, Of t e seat in response to movementof the body-supporting structure 24. This legrest mounting linkage 62 may be. ofany conventional type, but for purposes of illustration, is shown as a. doublefour-bar or lazy tong type of linkage. Specifically, the

position shownin FIG. 2. Such actuating means includes a depending extension 86 of the front guide link 30 extending beyond the pivot 56, and an actuating link 88 connectedto said extension 86 by a pivot 90. -The opposite end of the actuating link 88 is connected by pivot 92 to the leg-rest mounting link 70.at a point spaced below thepivotal mount 78 of said link 70.

In the upright sitting position of FIG. 1, the first carrier link 42 rests upon the cross-bar 18 in a forwardly and downwardly-extending position, so that the four-bar linkage formed by the carrier links-42, 44 and the inter- ;mediate link 46 serve as a fixed and immovable portion of the supportframe.

The rear guide link 32 extends vertically upward from its pivotal mount 34, and the ront guide link 30 extends upwardly and forwardly from its pivotal mount 56 toward the seat 26. The bodysnpporting unit 24 is therefore supported in a level sitting position. The leg-rest mounting links 64 and 70 extend downwardly from their respective pivotal mounts 76 and 78 0n the seat 26 and intermediate link extension 58 respectively, thereby positioning the leg-rest 60 in its retracte'd position in which it is substantially vertically disposed beneath the forward end portion of the seat 26. The leg-rest actuating link 88 extends forwardly and upwardly from the front guide link extension 86 to the mounting link 70.

When the occupant of the chair in the upright sitting position of FIG. 1 Wishes to assume a more comfortable sitting position with his legs supported in outstretched condition, he applies rearward pressure against the bodysupporting structure 24.. The body-supporting structure then moves'rearwardly through a first motion phase, guided by the front guide link 30 and rear guide link 32. During this'fir'st motion phase, the first carrier link 42 remains resting upon the cross-bar 18,-and the four-bar linkage'formed by carrier links 42, 44 and t he'interme diate link 46 remains stationary and serves as a fixed portion of the support frame. The front guide link 30 turns rearwardly and upwardly about its pivotal mount .56 upon this four-bar linkage, to guide the forward portion of the seat 26 rearwardly and also, to elevate the same slightly. At the same time, the rear guide link 32 turns rearwardly and downwardly upon its pivotal mount 34 on the support frame 12 to guide the rear portion of the seat 26 rearwardly and also to lower it slightly. Thus, in the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2, the body-supporting structure 24 has moved rearwardly from its position of FIG. 1 and has also been slightly tilted, although it isstill in a substantially sitting position whereby the occupants body is still upright and is properly disposed for viewing television, reading, or the like.

During the first'motion phase, the leg-rest mounting link 64'is carried rearwardly with theforward portion of the seat through its pivotal mount 76, while the pivotal mount 78 of the other leg-rest mounting link 70 remains stationary upon the immovable intermediate link extension 58.- However, as the front guide link 30 turns rearwardly, its bottom extension 556 turns forwardly and upwardly, moving actuating link 88 in an upward direction. Said actuating link 88 exerts a pushing force at point 92 against the leg-rest mounting link 70, thereby causing the link 70 to turn upwardly and forwardly about its pivotal mount 78 and causing the leg-rest mouting linkage 62 to move the leg-rest 60 to its extended, leg supporting position of FIG. 2. In this position, the legrest 60 is located forwardly of the front end of the seat 26 and is almost at the level thereof, in proper position to comfortably support the outstretched legs of the occupant.

The intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2 is determined by engagement of the rear guide link 32 with the cross-bar 20. This halts further simultaneous rearward pivoting movement of the guide links 34 and 32, and constrains further movement of the body-supporting structure 24 to pivoting movement about another center of rotation through a second motion phase, in a manner to be presently described.

When the occupant of the chair wishes to assume a more comfortable positon for optimum relaxation, he applies further rearward pressure against the body-supporting structure 24. Since the rear guide link 32 is now restrained from further rearward turning movement by its engagement with the cross-bar 2%), further rearward movement of the body-supporting structure 24 is now limited to turning movement about its pivotal connection 36 with the stationary rear guide link. 32. During this second motion phase, the forward portion of the seat 26 is elevated, carrying upwardly with it the front guide link 30, which in turn raises the intermediate link 46 through pivot 56 and thus the four-bar linkage formed by the carrier links 42, 44 and the intermediate link 46. Thus, the first carrier link 42 is lifted from its supported position on the cross-bar 18 and turns upwardly about its pivotal mount 48, while the second carrier link 44 turns upwardly about its pivotal mount 52.

In its supported position of FIG. 2, the first carrier link 42 is downwardly inclined to an appreciable extent. In turning upwardly to its raised position of FIG. 3, the carrier link 42 passes through a horizontal attitude and is raised slightly thereabove. Its end pivot 50 therefore travels through a forwardly-moving path. In contrast, the second carrier link 44 in the position of FIG. 2 is only slightly inclined downwardly from the horizontal. In moving to its raised position of FIG. 3, the second carrier link 44 passes quickly through a horizontal position and then is inclined upwardly so that its end pivot 44 travels through a rearwardly-moving path. Since the pivot 50 moves forwardly while the pivot 54 moves rearwardly, the lower end of the intermediate link is pushed forwardly and the upper end thereof is pulled rearwardly. The intermediate link thus is rotated slightly about .its pivotal mount 56 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3.

This clockwise movement of intermediate link 46, during the second motion phase of the chair, has an adjusting effect upon the position of the extended leg-rest 60 relative to the seat 26 in the fully-tilted or reclined position. When the seat 26 turns about pivot 35 in the second motion phase, its elevating forward position raises the leg-rest mounting link 64 through pivot 75, as Well as at its connected links 66 and 72. In addition, the forward portion of seat 26 raises the front guide link 30 and the connected links 46, 88 and 7%). Thus, the entire leg-rest mounting linkage 62, as well as the leg-rest 60, is carried upwardly by forward portion of the seat as the seat 26 moves to the fully-tilted or reclined position. However, the clockwise movement of intermediate link 46 causes a rearward motion of its top extension 58 which in turn pulls leg-rest link 70 in a rearward direction. This rearward movement of the legrest link 70 causes an adjustment in the relative disposition of the links of the leg-rest mounting linkage 62 in such a manner that the angle of the leg-rest 66 relative to the seat 26 is varied. Thus, while the seat is appreciably more inclined in the position of FIG. 3 than it was in FIG. 2, the plane of the leg-rest 60 is maintained substantially horizontal. The leg-rest is also lowered a slight distance relative to the front end of the seat.

The specific angular relationships of the links of the four-bar linkage have been illustrated for purposes of example only. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the relative lengths and relative angular dispositions of the links 42, 44 and 46 may be varied to produce a variety of selected adjusting movements of the leg-rest during the second motion phase. For example, if the first carrier link 42 were made horizontal and the second carrier link 44 downwardly inclined, the extension 58 of the intermediate link 46 would move forwardly instead of rearwardly to produce a different adjusting m vement of the leg-rest.

The end of the second motion phase is established by engagement of the rear portion of the body-supporting structure 24 with the cross-brace 22, the structure 24 being then disposed in the fully-tilted or reclined position of FIG. 3. To return to the intermediate position of FIG. 2, it is only necessary for the occupant to shift his weight forwardly. To return from the intermediate position to the upright sitting position of FIG. 1, the occupant exerts downward pressure upon the leg-rest and urges his weight further forwardly by grasping the side frames 14 and 16.

However, the construction of the chair is such that, with the body-supporting structure 24 remaining in an inclined or substantially reclined position close to the fully-reclined position of FIG. 3, it is possible for the chair occupant to move the leg-rest 60 downwardly through an infinite variety of lesser-extended positions to the retracted position, if he so desires. This reclined position of the chair with the leg-rest retracted is shown in FIG. 4 and is the result of the two degrees of freedom inherent in the linkages of multiple position chairs of this type.

Disregarding such factors as friction, balance, and chair and body weight, the linkage mechanism in the position of FIG. 3 is not fully constrained. Because of the necessity of having the chair move through two different motion phases, the mechanism is provided with two degrees of freedom. That is to say, the body-supporting structure 24 can be made to turn forwardly about the stationary pivot 36, in a reverse of the second motion phase until it reaches the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2, and the leg-rest will remain extended. As an alternative, the front guide link 30 and rear guide link 32 can be made to turn forwardly in unison from the position of FIG. 3, with the front guide link 30 lowering the leg-rest to any selected partially-retracted position or even to the fully-retracted position while the body-supporting structure 24 is still in an inclined or reclined attitude.

To achieve the latter movement, a friction member 94 is provided at the pivotal mount of one of the carrier links, for example the pivotal mount 52 of the second carrier link 44. This friction member 94 may be in the nature of a pair of friction plates 96 and 98 which are rigidly connected to each other in spaced relationship by pivot 52 as well as a stud 99. The plate 96 is secured to the support frame 12 by screws, rivets or other suitable means.

When the body-supporting structure 24 is moved to the fully reclined position of FIG. 3, the second carrier link 44 is elevated by the front guide link 30, as previously explained. The friction member 94 is arranged to provide a minimum amount of friction during the beginning of this movement and to gradually increase the friction at pivot 52, until the maximum friction is achieved at the fully-reclined position. The leverage produced by the body-supporting structure 24 as the tilted sitting position of FIG. 2

.7 fully-reclined position is approached, is sufficient to overcome the frictional resistance of the member 94. In FIG. 9, the second carrier link 44 is shown in fullj line previous embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, and in the upright sitting position of FIG. 5, bothcarrier'links 142 and 144 in the position which it assumes in the intermediate,

In this position, only the extreme outer end thereof is located'between the friction plates 96 and 98. As the link 44 turns upwardly, however, during the second motion phase, an

increasingly larger areathereof is located between the,

friction plates, until, in the fully-reclined position (shown in broken line in FIG. 9), a maximum portion of link 44 is located between said friction plates and is compressed thereby.

The specific form of frictioninember 94 isshown by way of preferred example.v As an alternativ'e,the friction member may be in the nature of a resilient disc of progressively increasing cross-section. In moving down from the full-reclined position of FIG. 3, therefore, the maximum friction provided by the member 94 is sufiicient to oppose the downward turning of link 44 about pivot 52, and thus oppose the tendency of the body-supporting structure 24 to turn downwardly about pivot 36. Because the linkage has two degrees of freedom, the occupant can, therefore, by applying down- Ward pressure. upon the leg-rest 60, cause the body-sup- The leg-rest 60 may be stopped in any partially-re tracted position, or may be moved down to the fully-retracted position, as shown in FIGURE 4, while the bodysupp-ortiug structure 24 remains in a reclined attitude.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. through 8, there is shown a reclining chair incorporating a modified form of control mechanism made in accordance with the invention herein and designated generally by the reference numeral 110. The chair 110 again includes a support frarne 112 having opposed side Walls 114 and 116 interconnected by suitable cross-braces 118, 126, and 122, and a body-supporting structure 124 including an integrally-formed seat. 126 and back-rest 128. The body-supporting structure 124 is mounted by a front guide link 13% and a rear guide link 132 for movement relative to the support frame 112 from the upright sitting position of FIG. 5

to the intermediate, tilted sitting positionshown in FIG. 6

and then to the fully-tilted or reclined position shown in FIG. 7.

The rear guide link 132 is again provided with a fixed pivotal mount 134 on the support frame 112:, and a pivotal connection 136 to the rear'portion of the seat 126. The front guide link 130 is connected by pivot 138 to the seat 126 at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotalcon nection 136; A four-bar linkage is again provided for supporting the front guide link 130, this four-bar linkage again including a first carrier link 142, a second carrier link 144, and an intermediate link 146. The rear end of the first carrier link 142 is mounted by pivot 148 on the support frame 112 and the forward end thereof is connected by a pivot 150 to the lower end of the intermediate link 146. The rear end of the second carrier link 144 is mounted by pivot 152 on the support frame at a point spaced above and rearwardly of thepivotal mount'14S."

Toward its forward end, the second carrier link 144 is connected by pivot 154 to a point on the intermediate link 146 spaced above the pivot 150. The intermediate.

is not inclined downwardly to such an extent as in the 182 and 184. a i Means are again provided for actuating the leg-rest extend forwardly and substantiallyhorizontally from their respective pivotal mounts 148 and 152. A stop member 159, mounted on the support frame 112, engages the rear guide link'1'32 in the upright sitting position of FIG. 5 to prevent forward movement of the body-supporting structure 124 :under the Weight of the occupants body.

The first carrier link 142, second carrier link 144, and intermediate link 146 again serve as threemovable links of a'four-bar supporting linkage, with the stationary link thereof constituting the portion of the support frame 112 between the fixed pivots 148. and 152. The front guide link 1361 is 'againcarried by this four-bar linkage, but in this embodiment it is pivotally connected by pivot 156 to an intermediate point on the second carrier link144.

The chair 110 again includes. a leg-rest 16,0 carried by a leg-rest mounting linkage 162 for movement between the retracted position of'FIG'. 5. and theextendedpositions of FIGS. 6 and 7. The leg-rest mounting'linkage 162 is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-3, and includes a first pair of mounting links 164 and 166 havinga pivotal connection 168 at their adjacent ends and a second pair of mountinglinks 170 a'nd172 having .a pivotal connection 174 at their adjacent ends. The upper ends of the mounting link v170 is mounted by pivot 178 on the end of the intermediate linkextension 158. In this instance, however; the other mounting link 164, instead of being mounted on the seat as in the previous embodiment, is

mounted by pivot 176 on an upwardly-extending front extension 145 of'the second carrier link.144. Intermediate their ends, the mounting links 164 and 172 cross each other and are connected by pivot 180 at their crossingover point. The mounting links 166 and 172 are connected to spaced points on leg-rest 160 by respective pivots mounting linkage 162 in such 'a manner as to elevate the leg-rest 160 during the first motion phase from the retracted position shown in FIG. 5 to the extended leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 6. Such actuating means comprises anactu-ating link 188 connected at one end by pivot 192 to the mounting link 170, and connected at its other end by pivot 190 to a bottom extension 186 of front guide link 130 which extends below the pivot 156.

In the upright sitting position of FIG; 4, the first carrier link 142 again rests upon the cross-bar 118 so 170, and the leg-rest 160 is supported by the leg-rest linkage 162m a retracted position beneath the forward portion of seat 126.

When the occupant of the chair in the upright sitting position of FIG. 5 applies rearwardpressure against the body-supporting structure 124, the body-supporting structure moves rearwardly through a first motion phase,

' guidedby the front guide link 130 and rear guide link 132.

During this first" motion phase, the first carrier link 142 remains resting upon the cross-bar 118, and the four-bar linkage formed by carrier links 142, 144 and the intermediate link 146 remains stationary and serves as a fixed portion of the support frame. The front guide link turns rearwardly and upwardly about its pivotal mount 156 upon the second carrier link 144 of this four-bar linkage, to guide the forward portion of the seat 126 rearwardly. In the intermediate, tilted position of FIG. 6, the body-supporting structure 124' has moved rearwardly from its position of FIG. 5 and has also been slightly tilted by the guide links 130 and 132,,although it is still 9 in a substantially sitting position with the occupants body supported in upright condition and properly disposed for viewing television, reading, or the like.

During the first motion phase, the leg-rest mounting linkage 162 is supported on two stationary pivots, namely the pivot 176 on the second carrier link extension 145, and the pivot 17 8 on the intermediate link extension 158. As the front guide link 130 turns rearwardly, its bottom extension 186 turns forwardly and upwardly, moving actuating link 188 in an upward direction to actuate the mounting linkage 162 and move the leg-rest 160 to its extended, leg-supporting position of FIG. 6. In this position, the leg-rest 160 is spaced Well forwardly of the front end of the seat 126 and is substantially at the level thereof.

The intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 6 is determined by engagement of the rear guide link 132 with the cross-bar 120, the latter halting further simultaneous rearward pivoting movement of the guide links 139 and 132.

When the occupant of the chair applies further rearward pressure against the body-supporting structure 124, the rear guide link 132 is restrained from further rear- Ward turning movement by its engagement with the crossbar 120, and further rearward movement of the bodysupporting structure 124 is limited to turning movement about its pivotal connection 136 with the stationary rear guide link 132. During this second motion phase, the forward portion of the seat 126 is elevated, carrying upwardly with it the front guide link 130, which in turn raises the second carrier link 144 and thus the four-bar linkage formed by the carrier links 142, 144 and the intermediate link 146. Since the second carrier link 14 1 between pivots 152 and 154 has a greater length than the first carrier link 142, the pivot 154 on the second carrier link 144 travels through a greater are than the free end of the first carrier link 142 so that the pivot 15 i moves a greater distance away from the pivotal mount 14 8 than does the pivot 150. Thus as the intermediate link 146 is lifted, it is also turned in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the body-supporting structure 124, the lower end of link 146 being moved slightly rearwardly, and the upper extension 158 of link 146 being moved forwardly. This forward movement of extension 158 moves link 176 in a forward direction, which in turn causes link 172 to turn about pivot 180 in a clockwise direction. As a result of this movement the leg-rest 169 is maintained in a substantially level or horizontal attitude, but is drawn inwardly toward the front edge of the seat 126, as shown in FIG. 7.

The fully tilted position of FIG. 7 is reached when the rear portion of the body-supporting structure 124 engages and is stopped by the cross-brace 122. To return to the upright sitting position of FIG. 5, the occupant shifts his weight forwardly to bring the body-supporting structure to the intermediate position, and then applies downward pressure on the leg-rest to return the structure to the upright sitting position.

A friction member 194 is again provided at the pivotal mount 152 of the second carrier 'link 144. This friction member 194 -is identical in construction to the friction member 94 shown in FIG. 9 and previously described. It functions to permit the leg-rest 160 to be lowered from its extended position while the body-supporting structure 124 is still in a reclined position.

In the fully-reclined position of FIG. 7, the friction member 194 is providing the maximum amount of friction, and thus opposes the tendency of the body-supporting structure 124 to turn downwardly about pivot 136. If the occupant desires to lower the leg-rest 16%) in this position, he applies downward pressure with his legs upon the leg-rest and, grapsing the arms of the chair, urges his body weight forwardly and upwardly. The front and rear guide links 130 and 132 therefore turn forwardly in unison, guiding the body-supporting structure forwardly and lowering the leg-rest. This movement may be continned until the chair reaches the position of FIG. 8, in which the leg rest 16d is fully retracted.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that numerous omissions, changes and additions may be made in such embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A multiple position reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting structure including a seat and back-rest mounted for movement through a first motion phase from an upright sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and through a second motion phase to a fully reclined position, a pair of spaced carrier links extending forwardly of said chair and pivotally mounted at their rear ends at spaced points on the support frame, an intermediate link extending between and pivotally connected to the forward ends of said carrier links, said intermediate link and carrier links constituting a four-bar linkage, means supporting said four-bar linkage in a stationary position during the first motion phase, front and rear guide means supporting the body-supporting structure and guiding the same for movement during the first motion phase, said front guide means including a front guide link pivotally mounted on the four-bar linkage and pivotally connected to the forward portion of the seat, said front guide link having an extension depending below its pivotal mount on said four-bar linkage, a legrest, a leg-rest linkage carrying said leg-rest, one link of said leg-rest linkage being pivotally mounted on said intermediate link at a mounting pivot, and an actuating link pivotally connecting said front guide link extension with said leg-rest linkage, said front guide link turning on the stationary four-bar linkage during the first motion phase to elevate the legarest to an extended position forwardly of the seat, said four-bar linkage and said front guide link being raised as a unit with the forward portion of the seat during the second motion phase to maintain the leg-rest in its extended position forwardly of the seat, said four-bar linkage being arranged to turn said intermediate link relative to the seat as the four-bar linkage is raised during the second motion phase, whereby to displace said mounting pivot and adjust the position of the extended leg-rest relative to the seat.

2. A multiple position reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting structure including a seat and back-rest mounted for movement through a first motion phase from an upright sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and through a second motion phase to a fully reclined position, a pair of verticallyspaced carrier links extending forwardly of said chair and pivotally mounted at their rear ends at spaced points on the support frame, an intermediate link extending between said carrier links and pivotally connected to the forward end of the uppermost carrier link at a first pivot and to the forward end of the other carrier link at a second pivot, said intermediate link and carrier links constituting a four-bar linkage, said intermediate link having a forwardly-directed extension projecting beyond its first ivot, means supporting said four-bar linkage in a stationary position during the first motion phase, front and rear guide means supporting the body-supporting structure and guiding the same for movement during the first motion phase, said front guide means including a front guide link pivotally mounted on the four-bar linkage and pivotally connected to the forward portion of the seat, said front guide link having an extension projecting below its pivota1 mount on said four-bar linkage, a leg-rest, a leg-rest linkage carrying said leg-rest and guiding the same for movement between a retracted position beneath the seat and an extended position forwardly of said seat, one link of said leg-rest linkage being pivotally mounted on the intermediate link extension, and an actuating link pivotally connecting said front guide link extension with the legrest linkage for elevating the leg-rest to its extended posi- 'l'l tion as the front guide-link turns' upon thev stationary four-bar linkage during the first motion phase, the body- 'supporting unit turning iabout'the rear guide means dur- V V ing the second motion phase to elevate the front guide link, four-bar linkage, and leg-rest linkage in unison, whereby the leg-rest is retained in extended position,

the upward movement of said carrier links during'th'e second motion phase moving said first pivot relative to said second pivot to turn said intermediate link relative to" H the seat, whereby the position of the extended leg-rest is adjusted relative to the forward end of the seat in the fully reclinedvposition.

3. A multiple position reclining chair according to claim 2 in which the front guide link is mounted on the intermediate link of the four-bar linkage.

4. A multiple position reclining chair according .to.

claim 2 in which the front guide link is mounted on one of the carrier links of the four-b ar linkage.

5. A multipie position reclining chair comprisinga SHIP.

'port frame, a. body-supporting structure including a seat and back-rest mounted for movementthrough :a first motion phase from an upright sitting position to aninter links, said intermediate link having a forwardly-directed.

extension projecting beyondaits pivotal connection with the uppermost carrier link, said intermediate link and carrier linksconstituting a four-bar linkage, means supporting said four-bar linkage in a stationary position during the first motion phase, a pair of guide links pivotally connected .to spaced points on the seat, the front guide link being pivotally mounted on the four-bar linkage and the rear guide link being pivotally mounted ;on the support frame, said guide links turning rearwardly in unison during the firstmotion phase to guide the body-supporting structure, means blocking further rearward turning movement of the rear guide link at the intermediate, tilted sitting position, whereby the body-supporting structure turns about its pivotal connection with the stationary rear guide link during he second motion phase, a leg-rest, a leg-rest mounting linkage carrying said leg-rest, ,said

' mounting linkage comprising 'a first .pair 'of'spaced links pivot-ally connected to spaced points on the leg-rest and av ing link pivotally connecting said front guide link ex-' 7 tension with said leg-rest mounting linkage for elevating said leg-rest to an extended position forwardly of the seat during the first motion phase as the front guide link turns on the stationary four-bar linkage, the front guide link, four-bar linkage and leg-rest mounting linkage being carried upwardly with the forward end of the seat during the second motion phase, whereby the leg-rest is maintained in its extended position, the upward turning move-- ment of the carrier links in the second motion phase turning the intermediatejlink relative thereto, whereby the intermediate link extension. adjusts the position of the extended leg-rest relative to the forward end of the seat in the fully-reclined position.

6. A multiple position reclining chair according to :claim in which one link of the second pair of links of the leg-restmounting linkage is pivotally mounted on "the intermediate link extensionand the other link thereof is pivotally mounted on the forward end of the seat. ('7. A multiple position reclining chair according to "claim 5 in which said uppermost carrier'link has a forward, upwardly-extending projection, one link of the second pair of links of theleg-rest mounting linkage being pivotally mounted on said intermediate link extension 1 and the other link thereof being pivotally mounted on said carrier link extension. I

8. A multiple position reclining chair according. to

' claim 5 in which said actuating link and front guide link are operative to provide said leg-rest with two degrees ture, the downward movement of the leg-rest causing said front guide link to turn forwardly on the elevated fourbar linkage, whereby the leg-rest is moved downwardly from its extended position while the body-supporting structure remains in a reclined position.

9; A multiple position reclining chair according to claim '8 in which friction means are provided in engagement with one of the movable parts of the chair to automatically provide progressively increasing friction upon said movable parts as the body-supporting structure moves from the intermediate, tilted sitting position to the fully-reclined position, whereby to oppose downward turning move ment of the body-supporting structure about its pivotal connection with the rear guide link from the fully reclined position and thereby cause the front and rear guide links to turn forwardly when downward pressure the fully-reclined position, whereby to resist the downward movement of the four-bar'linkage from its elevated position and thereby oppose downward turning movement of the body-supporting structure in the fully-reclined position about said'pivotal connection between the bodysuppotring structure and the rear guide link.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/62 Fletcher 297 3,061,36710/62 Schliephacke 297 s9 3,065,989 11/62 Mahler. 297 ss 3,069,201 12/62 Belisleetal 297-s5 3,084,974 4/63 Belisle etal. 297 s9 FRANK a. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR COMPRISING A SUPPORT FRAME, A BODY-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE INCLUDING A SEAT AND BACK-REST MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT THROUGH A FIRST MOTION PHASE FROM AN UPRIGHT SITTING POSITION TO AN INTERMEDIATE, TILTED SITTING POSITION AND THROUGH A SECOND MOTION PHASE TO A FULLY RECLINED POSITION, A PAIR OF SPACED CARRIER LINKS EXTENDING FORWARDLY OF SAID CHAIR AND PIVOTALLY MOUNTED AT THEIR REAR ENDS AT SPACED JOINTS ON THE SUPPORT FRAME, AN INTERMEDIATE LINK EXENDING BETWEEN AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE FORWARD ENDS OF SAID CARRIER LINKS, SAID INTERMEDIATE LINK AND CARRIER LINKS CONSTITUTING A FOUR-BAR LINKAGE, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID FOUR-BAR LINKAGE IN A STATIONARY POSITION DURING THE FIRST MOTION PHASE, FRONT AND REAR GUIDE MEANS SUPPORTING THE BODY-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE, AND GUIDING THE SAME FOR MOVEMENT DURING THE FIRST MOTION PHASE, SAID FRONT GUIDE MEANS INCLUDING A FRONT GUIDE LINK PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE FOUR-BAR LINKAGE AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE FORWARD PORTION OF THE SEAT, SAID FRONT GUIDE LINK HAVING AN EXTENSION DEPENDING BELOW ITS PIVOTAL MOUNT ON SAID FOUR-BAR LINKAGE, A LEG- 